A serious attack occurs in Mali's neighboring state, Niger.
The background is not yet clear.
The bloody act happens at a time when important political decisions are being made.
Niamey -
Gunmen
killed
at least
56 people
and injured more than 20 others
in the terror-stricken West African country of
Niger
.
Interior Minister Alkache Alhada announced this on Saturday evening in the capital Niamey.
The attack had therefore
occurred
near the border with
Mali
in the villages of Tchombangou and Zaroumdareye.
The exact circumstances of the attack are still unclear.
Niger is one of the most important transit countries for African migrants who want to reach the Mediterranean.
Serious attack: Niger is part of an organization that wants to fight terror groups
There are a number of
terrorist groups
active in
Niger and other countries in this region that
have sworn allegiance to Al Qaeda or the Islamic State (IS).
Together with Mali, Mauritania, Chad and Burkina Faso, Niger is part of the G5 Sahel group that aims to fight terrorist groups.
In addition, the government has little control in the desert-like expanses outside the cities, which is not only exploited by jihadist groups but also by criminal networks.
In the Sahel state, the preliminary
results of
the presidential and parliamentary elections were announced
on the same day
.
Head of state Mahamadou Issoufou will, as provided for by the constitution, resign after his two terms in office.
Serious attack in Niger: The country is an important partner of the EU in the fight against terrorism in the region
An ally of the outgoing president, former Foreign Minister Mohamed Bazoum, stood for the ruling party PNDS and received 39.6 percent of the vote.
Just like the strongest opposition candidate Mahamane Ousmane (16.9 percent), however, he did not achieve the required majority, which is why a
runoff election
on February 22nd is necessary.
In recent years,
Europe had
put pressure on the Nigerien government to curb people smuggling.
Niger is also an important partner for the EU in the fight against terrorism in the Sahel region.
(dpa)